Catholic Family News attacks US Military Archdiocese regarding Summorum Pontificum

Some time ago I posted about the response of the Archdiocese for the Military in the USA to requests to implement Summorum Pontificum.

In my opinion, as I wrote before, the Military Archdiocese responded in a pretty reasonable way. Essentially they said that because military personnel are not, by definition, fixed in a place indefinitely, thus they are not "stable", and they cannot constitute a group that is present continuously or in a stable manner over a reasonable period of time, it would not be reasonable to established celebrations of the TLM on a fixed or regularly scheduled basis. There is also the matter of shortage of priests. However, the Archdiocese said, very reasonably, that TLMs could be celebrated ad hoc, which really could be quite often if you think about it.

The traditionalist publication Catholic Family Newshas published its own reaction to the Military Archdiocese. I am a little steamed about it. I think we might look at this with my emphases and comments.

Military Archdiocese Says No to Latin Mass [This title is duplicitous. The MilArchd. did NOT say "no" in an absolute way. As a matter of fact, it seems supportive of TLMs celebrated in an ad hoc manner.]

By Edwin Faust

Since the publication of the motu proprio “Summorum Pontifcum”, [Pontificum] requests have been made to the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, to provide Tridentine Mass at military installations. To demonstrate the widespread desire for such a provision, a petition was briefly posted on a Web site during the Veterans Day holiday in the U.S. and more than 150 military personnel signed the petition and added their heartfelt comments.[WDTPRS also advertised this petition. However, 150 people signed it… for how many military installations? I think there may be more than 150 installations in the USA alone!] This information was forwarded to the new archbishop, Timothy Broglio, who delegated the matter to one of his subordinates, Msgr. James Dixon, whose disappointing response appears (at the bottom) on this page. According to Msgr. Dixon, there will be no attempt made to implement the motu proprio in the archdiocese on the grounds that the military do not constitute a stable community. [Again, this is duplicitous. The MilArchd. is implementing the Motu Proprio according to the circumstances faced on military installations! If there can be no identifiable group continuously present at, say Fort Ipsidipsy, then it is hard to imagine how a Mass schedule can be permanently changed. On the other hand, Summorum Pontificum has a specific provision for Masses celebrated "occasionally", which does NOT mean "rarely", as it might sound to some ears in English. This means that Masses can be inserted into schedules without changing the permanent schedule of a base chapel. That is a way to implement Summorum Pontificum!]

We cannot accept such reasoning, as it would also preclude celebrations of the Tridentine Mass on college and university campuses, where students also come and go; [This is like comparing apples with oranges. The military have an Archdiocese to see to the spiritual needs of their personnel and dependents. There is no diocese for college students. Also, students have a reasonable expectation of being at a school for a period of time according to their own choice, whereas military personnel are simply transferred.] yet, we have seen several such Masses being offered on a regular basis and attracting large followings. The refusal of the archdiocese also appears to presume that no such Masses can be offered without a request by what it considers a stable community.[That is a false statement. The MilArchd. said "the Archdiocese cannot stipulate as a requirement [NB: which does not exclude that it can be done!] to those assigning priest-chaplains that a certain installation must have a priest-chaplain able to celebrate the Mass and the Sacraments according to the 1962 Missal. … It would also be appropriate for a military installation, where the priest-chaplain and the community desire to do so, to have a celebration of the Mass, announced beforehand, with servers and choir properly trained, for the edification of the faithful." That could be EVERY SUNDAY if they can make it work! But priests get reassigned and the population of an installation is shifting.] This is simply not the case, as in many locales Masses have been initiated by priests, even with the help of their ordinaries, and drawn many of the faithful. [This opens up the question of whether, according to Summorum Pontificum priests can simply schedule Mass on their own initiative without previously having received requests. I am inclined to think they can, but that opens up all sort of practical problems for the blow back the priest will probably get.]The community request appears to require a response, but not to be a sine qua non. [First, yes… according to Summorum Pontificum reasonable requests do require a response! They can’t be ignored. However, Summorum Pontificum also says that when the priest or bishop are unable or unwilling to acceed to the request… I repeat… unable… then everyone should contact Rome. However, the MilArchd seems to have provided for this already by saying that if people who want TLMs can get their act together with the priests, they by all means can have celebrations with the older Missal whenever they want!]

In any event, there is a demonstrated widespread desire for the ancient Mass in all branches of the military. [A couple things. First, I don’t think that a petition with 150 names for the whole of the Catholic population reading blogs in the military constitutes "widespread" anything. However, my personal experience of meeting Catholic military personal here and abroad suggests to me that there could be very great interest, given some time and catechesis and careful attention to procedure, which is important in a military environment.] The previous ordinary, Archbishop O’Brien, refused implementation of the 1988 indult, despite repeated requests; his successor seems intent upon continuing this policy, [No! I don’t think that is fair. The MilArchd Vicar General wrote a pretty positive letter at the direction of Archbp. Broglio. He even said, "I would be happy to hear directly again from you on this subject with suggestions about how we can continue this great work."] suggesting that those who want the Latin Mass look elsewhere. [NO! That is not the whole story. Sure the MilArchd said that priests should let people where in the area the TLM is being celebrated, but he also said that TLMs could be celebrated ad hoc if people can get their acts together.]But this is not possible in many cases. My son, a cadet at the military academy at West Point, is restricted to post most weekends and, were he not, there is no Latin Mass available within a reasonable distance. His situation is quite common. [And let’s hope that, as more younger priests learn the older forms, cadets won’t face that in the future!]

Despite its somewhat unctuous tone, Msgr. Dixon’s letter makes it evident that the military archdiocese has bent its mind, not to finding ways to provide Traditional Latin Masses, but to preventing them.[This is unfair and whiny. Nothing of the sort is "evident".] There is no provision in the motu proprio that allows an ordinary to send those who want the Tridentine Mass on a search through neighboring dioceses. [Nor is there any provision in the Motu Proprio that requires regularly scheduled TLMs outside of a regular parochial structure! Some flexibility and reason are needed.] And many in the military, for one reason and another, cannot travel far from their duty station. [So rather than whine, people should get busy and work something out! The MilArchd has said explicitly that TLMs CAN BE CELEBRATED. What is hard about this?]

There have been generous responses to the Holy Father’s motu proprio, such as that of Archbishop Burke in St. Louis, who is providing training for those priests who wish to say the Tridentine Mass. [For priests who "wish" to do so.] Several workshops have also sprung up in various dioceses and those orders specially dedicated to offering the Tridentine Mass have been providing help to the many priests who want to learn this ancient and beautiful rite. There is no reason that the military archdiocese should not take steps to conform itself to the mind of the Holy Father [a grossly unfair statement] and satisfy the legitimate aspirations of those in its spiritual charge. The problem is not the lack of a stable community, [um… yes… it is] but the lack of good will in high places. [the writer simply desire to interpret the letter of the MilArchdVC in the worst possible light. However he raised a good point: Could not the MilArchd also provide possibilities for chaplains to learn the older form of Mass? Perhaps some thought could be given to that. The MilArchdVC Msgr. Dixon said he was open to suggestions. However, when people are determined simply to write unfair and poorly thought through attacks on the statement of the same MilArchd, one wonders just how long the MilArchd will keep that door open!]

I would ask all of you who are reading this to please speak up for those members of the military who want the Tridentine Mass offered at major military installations. [But don’t speak to them along the lines of this article! Be reasonable, patient and prudent, not misreading the facts, but understanding that there is a lot of room to work in within that statement of the MilArchd for people of good will.] Below is the contact information for the Archdiocese for Military Services and the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. There is also an interactive Web site offering information, updates and comments on this situation: milmotu.lyon.edu I have also included a brief sampling of the comments we have received from members of the military. These brave people in our military are willing to lay down their lives for us. Surely, it is not too much to ask that their shepherds provide them with the spiritual nourishment they need in the legitimate form in which they request it. [No disagreement there! The problem is how to get it for them without screwing everything up!]

One Response to Catholic Family News attacks US Military Archdiocese regarding Summorum Pontificum

I got a rather lengthy e-mail taking me to task for this entry (short e-mails are better if you want me to read them to the end).

Here it is with my usual emphases and comments.

I read your observations about Ed Faust’s article with some concern. As the Latin Scholar around here, you of all people would be the one to know that there has been a mistranslation (into English) of art. 5 par. 1 in the “unofficial English text” of the Motu Propio that has been circulating. I’m sure your Latin is better than mine, so correct me if I’m wrong. [Perhaps you haven’t been reading WDTPRS very long. I have hammered that issue quite a lot.]

Is it not true that no adjective in the Latin text of the motu proprio modifies the word “coetus” (more or less correctly translated as “group”)? If this is true, then the term “stable group” does not appear at all in the Latin text. [I have explained this scores of times on the blog.]

Would you agree that a correct translation of the entire phrase containing the word “coetus” would read:

“Art. 5, § 1. In parishes, where a group of the faithful exists continuously adhering to the antecedent liturgical tradition, let the pastor willingly receive their requests for the holy Mass to be celebrated according to the rite of the Missale Romanum published in the year 1962. […]”

?? [This is how WDTPRS does it: “Art. 5, § 1. In parishes, where there is stably present a group of the faithful attached to the previous liturgical tradition, let the pastor willingly receive their petitions that Mass be celebrated according to the Rite of the Missale Romanum issued in 1962. Let him see to it that the good of these faithful be harmoniously brought into accord with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish, under the governance of the Bishop according to canon 392, by avoiding discord and by fostering the unity of the whole Church.” Notice that this refers to a pastor, not a military chaplain.]

This mistranslation, if it exists, provides a ‘loophole’ to deny or neutralize a request from the faithful for application of the motu proprio. [Yes… we know. This is why I have written about this a zillion times.]

Maybe I’m wrong about all of this, and if so please correct me. I was a bit surprised to hear you echo the “stable group” mistranslation (at least what I believe to be a mistranslation). [I didn’t. I wrote in my comments “identifiable group continuously present” and “a group that is present continuously or in a stable manner”. I didn’t echo a mistranslation. I echoed the accurate translation.]

If it is indeed a mistranslation, then it would see that you’re doing a great deal of harm by repeating it, in which case I would ask you to modify your comments about the AMS on your web page. [Nope. I won’t. Not because of a mistranslation.]

Also, I can see that you admit to being “a little steamed,” and I hope that you are not misdirecting your anger and making some mistakes. For example, wouldn’t a better title for your web page be “Father of West Point Cadet not Satisfied with AMS Reply….” ?

And why can’t we comment on it publicly on your web page? [Because I wanted to head off unreasonable comments by the half-informed who are rarely able to self-edit. Sometimes I prefer to screen comments my day isn’t taken up with cleaning up less than helpful posts.]

I served in the Army 20 years (finishing n 2001), and from what I can tell, the nearest thing we have to a scism in this country is the AMS. There is a culture of disobedience among the priests currently serving in the Army, to the point that I’ve even seen them publicly reject the authority of the Holy Father.[All the chaplains I know, in every branch, are wonderful and faithful priests.] It is not universal (but those exceptionally good priests serving as chaplains suffer quite a bit, I’m sure). The Catholic priests almost seem ashamed of their Holy Faith…long conversation here, but there’s a great deal of indifference among these priests. Anyway, if Mr. Faust is not satisfied with the answer he’s getting from them, then he has to pursue it because his son cannot. Military personnel are not allowed to petition. [Nor should they.]

Rather than getting steamed over his article I would humbly suggest what I hope would be a more productive approach. I don’t know where in the US you live, but perhaps you could offer your services… what if you were to announce that any group of servicemen who would like to invite you to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Ext. Form can invite you and you would travel to where they are and offer Mass on their military installation (perhaps even stipulate that it must be within the US.)…. I could help find funds for that if someone actually takes you up on it. There are funds available for contract chaplains, and according to regulations they have to allow this if servicemen arrange it. [This is a good suggestion. If I were approached in this way I would seriously consider this if the details could be worked out.]

This would do two things. First, If there really is a shortage of priests hampering their ability to implement the MP, this would help resolve the problem for them; maybe other priests would step forward to volunteer to do the same once they see you volunteer to help. Secondly, I think what you will see is that the AMS has no intention of ever allowing any such Extrordinary Form of the Mass.[I don’t buy that. I have it on very good authority that those at the top of the MilArchd are quite favorable about the TLM. I don’t want to say with whom I have spoken, but my sources are solid.] They have always treated the Latin Mass (and that also means the Novus Ordo in Latin) as the one and only religious service that is to never be allowed under any circumstances on a military installation. And they will go to any extremes to prevent it…..I could tell you some great stories. The Catholic priests I served with went as far as to lie to the General Officers so as to prevent it….they told one that we were “Levebvrist Schismatics” even though I had never been anywhere around the SSPX and they knew it; they told a Jewish General Officer that we were an “anti-semitic cult…” you get the picture. They will lie if they have to. [I think that is a pretty awful accusation. I frankly have a hard time believing it.]

This is probably what Mr. Faust is seeing. Best not mis-direct your anger….I don’t think you quite see the whole picture here. [I think I hit the nail exactly on the head, and the chaplains I have spoken with since I posted this have unanimously backed me up.]

I would add only another note to this issue of a “continuously/stably present group”. It could be that there is, in fact, a “group” which is stably present around chapels of military installations: retired military! However, if they are retired military, then they are not subjects of the Military Archdiocese. Nevertheless, the letter from the Vicar General Msgr. Dixon seems even not to exclude a certain measure of concern also for retired military who might be inclined to attend Mass at chapels of military installations. Remember: Msgr. Dixon’s response was very supportive of having Mass ad hoc. There is no reason why ad hoc can’t be often.

Everything that I have heard so far tells me that the Military Archdiocese has in fact reacted in a way that is far more supportive than it is dismissive. I think the invitation for more input should be considered positively. Perhaps subjects of the Military Archdiocese could suggest that the Archdiocese provide training or support also for chaplains in the TLM. I suspect there are more chaplains than one might imagine who would like to learn the TLM, based on my acquaintances.

Search Fr. Z’s Blog

Search for:

SHOPPING ONLINE? Please, always come here first!

Enter Amazon through my link.
Use the search bar below.
Fr Z will get a small percentage of what you spend.

Here's Fr. Z's
"catholic" search for Amazon:
US HERE - UK HERE
And you do need a Kindle! - HERE

“This blog is like a fusion of the Baroque ‘salon’ with its well-tuned harpsichord around which polite society gathered for entertainment and edification and, on the other hand, a Wild West “saloon” with its out-of-tune piano and swinging doors, where everyone has a gun and something to say. Nevertheless, we try to point our discussions back to what it is to be Catholic in this increasingly difficult age, to love God, and how to get to heaven.” – Fr. Z

YOUR RECENT COMMENTS

monstrance: Perhaps the Holy Father’s recent experience with the Chilean sex abuse scandal served as a bucket of cold water. The “Who am I to judge “ stance received a severe dose of reality.

Cafea Fruor: I forget things all the time, and not from nerves. I just forget, even if I just prepared myself right before going in. The only solution I’ve found is to write everything down...

Amerikaner: In practice the decisions are made by the Rectors 230; and pertinent info may not therefore be passed on to a bishop before ordination .

Ave Maria: One time it is “Who am I to judge̶ 1; or recently “God made you gay” (paraphras e?) and there was the welcoming of a homosexual couple at the Vatican and also a...

dbf223: Why is a Cardinal of the Church giving anyone investment advice? I know this is Honduras and not, say, Switzerlan d, but if you’ re the widow of a former high level government offic...

millercr2: I travel 115K+ miles per year on United Airlines and while I don’ t record tail numbers, I was told by an industry insider to glance at the serial number that can be found inside...

dbf223: Correction – Damon Linker isn’ t an Italian journalist . I suppose I’m simply used to seeing this type of work come out of the Italian press.

dbf223: I think that this analysis, and some of the comments, are missing something important: the Church of the future isn’ t going to be determined by anything any Pope can do from Rome....

Kevin: And I just found an article by Archbishop Chaput on First Things. https://ww w.firstthi ngs.com/we b-exclusiv es/2018/05 /what-happ ens-in-ger many

Marc in Eugene: ‘If you have the slightest doubt̵ 7;. Well, are there prelates who are programmat ically going to avoid having any doubts at all about prospectiv e homosexual candidates ?...

Malta: It seems he contradict s himself to some degree on the issue of homosexual ity (cf: http://the week.com/a rticles/77 4517/pope- francis-cu nning-long -game) But I think this is a good...

Kevin: My issue with the various Bishop Conference s is we will have the Germans allowing Communion for protestant spouses 230;we have the Bishops from Malta allowing communion for irregu...

TonyO: We Jesuits always have to remember that most Catholics are not Jesuits — a fact we tend to overlook sometimes. Our spirituali ty is not for everyone — perhaps hard to say, but so true. Oh,...

Grant M: Ah those intransige nt trads. Unwilling to exchange the seasons of Epiphany, Septuagesi ma and Pentecost for the poetry of Ordinary Time, A, B and C. Still maybe Pope Paul had a Cunning...

rcg: Of course this a good thing. But it is going to be the focus of state sponsored attacks on the Church and will probably, and unfortunat ely, be quite effective.

Julia_Augusta: Is that the ReaderR 17;s Guide to Augustine& #8217;s City of God by Gerard O’Da ly? Is it worth buying if one is going to read City of God? [It is helpful!] US HERE –...

TonyO: Well, with regard to the investment advice, it is a bit hard to lay the accusation of defrauding widows and orphans against Card. Rodriguez Maradiaga, for it was not he who defrauded her,...

JonPatrick: Although many cities have experience d decline, Detroit is somewhat of a special case being dependent on the auto industry. Initially it was very prosperous which attracted immigra...

JonPatrick: Hmm, a downturn in vocations. Would it be worth looking into those places in the Church where vocations are flourishin g and seminaries are bursting at the seams? Like the traditiona l...

Traductora: Francis has already said that he plans to set things up in such a way that they cannot be reversed (in other words, there can be no Summorum Pontificum of the future). He’s also appoi...

roma247: And who should have the answer to our tears of confusion and frustratio n as we watch this painful disintegra tion, but our good Mother in Heaven, Mary? Look at her in the Pieta: she...

dholwell: We constantly pray for vocations, and for our priests and bishops.

teomatteo: My thought on the pope’ ;s vision is pretty simple: he’l l move the Church closer to the Orthodox and the next pope and the next and say in 2065 we can sign a statement of...

TonyO: Pope Francis is 82 next Dec. He doesn’t have time. He himself admits it. That means he has not enough time to change the shape of the electorate ; It may be true – or, more proba...

Charles E Flynn: There is a cable TV show called “Ame rican Greed̶ 1;, narrated by Stacy Keach. I wonder if there is a narrator suitable for “Hon duran Greed̶ 1;.

Paypal Donation

Let us pray…

Grant unto thy Church, we beseech
Thee, O merciful God, that She, being
gathered together by the Holy Ghost, may
be in no wise troubled by attack from her
foes.
O God, who by sin art offended and by
penance pacified, mercifully regard the
prayers of Thy people making supplication
unto Thee,and turn away the scourges of
Thine anger which we deserve for our sins.
Almighty and Everlasting God, in
whose Hand are the power and the
government of every realm: look down upon
and help the Christian people that the heathen
nations who trust in the fierceness of their
own might may be crushed by the power of
thine Arm. Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world
without end. R. Amen.

My "challenge coin" for my 25th anniversary of ordination in 2016.

Want one? I do exchanges with military and LEOs, etc. and you can make a donation.

I travel a good deal. As I get older, it takes more of a toll. My main airline - sigh - is Delta. Were I to get some Gift Cards for Delta, I could more easily upgrade for longer flights. I'm just sayin'. I'd be much obliged. HERE

New miscellaneous releases and events

Yes, Fr. Z is taking ads…

For example...

A great hymnal…

Because it matters what children read…

I carry one of these super-strong rosaries in my spare mag pouch! The Swiss Guards have them too!

The Swiss Guard have these rosaries!For the story clickHERE and HERE (esp. 18:00)

Because you don’t know when you are going to need to move fast or get along without the supermarket…

To set up a recurring, monthly donation via PAYPAL (even a small one) go to the bottom of this blog and look for the drop down menu! Do you want yet another alternative to PayPal? I have set up an account with
CONTINUE TO GIVE
Get a link to donate via CONTINUE TO GIVE using your smart phone.
SEND MESSAGE:
4827563
TO:
715-803-4772
They take a larger percent taste, but they are an alternative.

I remember benefactors in my prayers and periodically say Mass for your intention.

This catechism helped to bring Fr. Z into the Catholic Church!

Be a “Zed-Head”!

Fathers, you don’t know who might show up! It could be a “big fish” of one sort or other…

And... GO TO CONFESSION!

“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?... The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin's thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt! If...if...We didn't love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation.... We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”

What people say about Fr. Z

"Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, a traditionalist blogger who has never shied from picking fights with priests, bishops or cardinals when liturgical abuses are concerned."
- Kractivism

"Father John Zuhlsdorf is a crank" "Father Zuhlsdorf drives me crazy" "the hate-filled Father John Zuhlsford" [sic]"Father John Zuhlsdorf, the right wing priest who has a penchant for referring to NCR as the 'fishwrap'"
- Michael Sean Winters

"Fr Z is a true phenomenon of the information age: a power blogger and a priest."
- Anna Arco

“Given that Rorate Coeli and Shea are mad at Fr. Z, I think it proves Fr. Z knows what he is doing and he is right.”
- Comment

"Let me be clear. Fr. Z is a shock jock, mostly. His readership is vast and touchy. They like to be provoked and react with speed and fury."
- Sam Rocha

"Father Z’s Blog is a bright star on a cloudy night."
- Comment

"A cross between Kung Fu Panda and Wolverine."
- Anonymous

Fr. Z is officially a hybrid of Gandalf and Obi-Wan XD
- Comment

Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, a scrappy blogger popular with the Catholic right.
- America Magazine

RC integralist who prays like an evangelical fundamentalist.
-Austen Ivereigh on Twitter

“For me the saddest thing about Father Z’s blog is how cruel it is.... It’s astonishing to me that a priest could traffic in such cruelty and hatred.”
- Jesuit homosexualist James Martin to BuzzFeed

Fr. Z's is one of the more cheerful blogs out there and he is careful about keeping the crazies out of his commboxes
- Paul in comment at 1 Peter 5

I am a Roman Catholic, in no small part, because of your blog.
I am a TLM-going Catholic, in no small part, because of your blog.
And I am in a state of grace today, in no small part, because of your blog.
- Tom in comment

"Thank you for the delightful and edifying omnibus that is your blog."- Reader comment.

More stuff…

Archives

ENTRY CALENDAR

Do you use my blog often? Is it helpful to you?

If so, please consider subscribing to send a monthly donation. That way I have steady income I can plan on, and you wind up regularly on my list of benefactors for whom I pray and for whom I periodically say Holy Mass.

Some options

Admin Stuff

The opinions expressed on this blog do not necessarily reflect the positions of any of the Catholic Church's entities with which I am involved. They are my own. Opinions expressed by commentators in the comments belong to the commentators.